Running with Your Puppy

Most people would think exercising is essential for health regime, but in case of a dog, a simple exercise influences its behavior. This is something really exciting in their lives and they will get thrilled every time you are about to take them for running. Dogs tend to have a lot of energy pouring out and if they can’t get a means to expel that, they will often resort to destructive behavior. In order to prevent that, it’s best to take them along while going out for running.

If you are one of the dog owners who get headaches from puppy barks or are annoyed from seeing holes dug in your home, or come across shredded pillows every now and then, it’s probably due to the fact that your puppy is not exposed to ample opportunities for exercise. As a result people give up their dogs, but this behavior is easily preventable. Now for this, you will have to go back to the selection criteria, remember some dog breeds require more exercise than others. So make certain that you are not taking a puppy that requires more exercise than you can provide. The next question that pops up in your mind is how much exercise does a dog need on average?

The simple answer is “not as much a human needs”. In fact, your canine friend can help you stay on target. If you don’t feel like running or jogging someday, your puppy pal will make you get out of bed. However, the activity level of different dogs is not same.

This invariably depends on factors like the breed, age and health of the pup. A hound would require some small bursts of exercise throughout the day, whereas guarding dogs are usually happy with their schedule. An eight-year-old Golden Retriever would need more exercise than a younger yet same breed of the dog.

Hence, a simple walk around the store will not help you decide. Most puppies will require around an hour of exercise every day, and that’s quite close to your running. You will witness that your canine friend slows down when you stop. Here are some rules of thumb to help you with the process.

An active dog breed would at least require around half an hour of hard exercise that must be continued daily. As opposed to the general perception, even the small breeds will not get ample amount of exercise indoors. They must be taken for a small walk to give them some exercise. For instance, Pugs are believed to be sluggish since they are more prone to obesity but they will also require more exercise than they normally get.